Straight Up cover

Straight Up

Paula Abdul · 1988

18 min · 3 tracks · contemporary R&B

An infectious blend of upbeat pop and R&B, layered with vibrant remixes that elevate its dance floor appeal.

Spotify Apple Music
Own it: Amazon eBay

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Straight Up (12" remix) — This extended remix amplifies the original’s catchy hooks and danceable beats, making it a staple in clubs and a highlight of Abdul's early discography.
  • →
    Straight Up (Power mix) — The Power mix enhances the song's rhythmic elements, showcasing how remix culture transformed pop songs into dance anthems during the late '80s.
  • →
    Straight Up (House mix) — With its house influences, this version illustrates the genre's growing prominence in mainstream music and reflects Abdul's adaptability within the evolving soundscape.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

45 /100
Lowland
Higher than 5% of albums we've rated

The remixes provide varied takes on a solid pop track, showcasing Paula Abdul's style but limiting depth due to the single format.

What we noticed

  • The single features three distinct remixes, each emphasizing different elements of the original track's upbeat pop and R&B sound.
  • The first remix extends the song to a dance-friendly length, adding layers of synths and percussion to enhance its club appeal.
Composition 25% of the score
6/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
7/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
5/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
4/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 6/10

Significant within its genre. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Straight Up (12" remix) 6:52
  • 2 Straight Up (Power mix) 4:57
  • 3 Straight Up (House mix) 7:10

What to play next

Shut Up and Dance The Dance Mixes
Listen next

Shut Up and Dance The Dance Mixes

1990
Forever Your Girl
Go back to

Forever Your Girl

1988
Full Paula Abdul discography Where to start with Paula Abdul Artists like Paula Abdul
contemporary R&B soul

If this landed

Records by other artists that run on the same instinct.

Control

Control

Janet Jackson

Shares the same upbeat R&B production and danceable rhythms, embodying late '80s pop culture.

Like a Prayer

Like a Prayer

Madonna

Features vibrant pop sensibilities and a club-ready sound that echoes the remix culture of the era.

Don't Be Cruel

Don't Be Cruel

Bobby Brown

Combines infectious R&B with pop hooks, capturing the same spirited energy of late '80s dance music.

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata